Indonesia, Germany Deepen Academic and Research Cooperation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is expanding its international academic network by fostering a strategic partnership with Germany in higher education, research, and skilled workforce development. Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Brian Yuliarto, conveyed the commitment while receiving a courtesy visit from German Ambassador to Indonesia, Ralf Beste, in Jakarta on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

According to him, Indonesia and Germany have long maintained cooperation, particularly in higher education and scientific research. He affirmed the importance of enhancing collaboration among universities through joint degree and double degree programs, as well as expanding academic exchanges.

“We share a long history together. We hope this cooperation will continue to grow, including sending more Indonesian students to Germany. Interest among Indonesian students in international programs there continues to increase,” he said.

Beyond student mobility, Indonesia also seeks to enhance doctoral programs, joint research funding, and researcher exchanges to support national priority sectors, including food security, renewable energy, clean water, industrial downstreaming, digitalization, and defense.

Meanwhile, the German Embassy places educational cooperation as a key diplomatic priority. Ambassador Beste stated that strengthening academic partnerships and student exchanges is an important responsibility for the embassy’s science and cultural attachés.

“We consider this one of our main tasks at the embassy, for the science attaché, the cultural attaché, and certainly for me as well, to increase student exchanges,” he said.

He also mentioned a planned visit by the president of German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who also serves as rector of University of Cologne. The visit is expected to become a forum for dialogue with Indonesian university leaders to strengthen institutional cooperation between the two countries.